Women in Horror

I've been musing about women in horror, particularly those in the villain roles.

If you fancy taking a quick trip into my mind on this subject then it's here: http://horrornews.net/22666/ruthless-killing-its-a-mans-world/

Have a read and leave a comment.

What Do Horror Fans Want?

Another quick post for you all today.


Recently Joe Lopez over at terrorscribe.com posed the question, 'what do horror fans want?' 


Some of us bloggers and fans put together a reply.


Read mine here: http://terrorscribe.com/2010/10/29/stefan-prosser-what-do-horror-fans-want/

DVDs for Halloween

With just one day until All Hallows Eve is upon us you may find your self with no plans for what to do. Well, that may just leave you with what I think is the best plan of all. On a cold autumn evening, the last one of October, why not curl up with some nibbles, drinks and some loved ones (or one special loved one) and put on a DVD?

Here are my picks for the best DVDs for Halloween.

All the DVDs are Halloween related and available to buy or rent.

One for the Family: The Simpson’s Tree House of Horror
Twenty years ago Bart and Lisa sat in their tree house on Halloween and recounted horror stories to each other whilst a terrified Homer listened in. As a result a new tradition was born. Every year the Simpson family come over all horror, the writers push their imagination to the limits and the viewers cackle at the spoofs and in jokes. A great family watch that just pips 'Hocus Pocus', if not just for Homer channeling Jack Torrence in 'The Shinning'.

One for the Classic Lovers: Halloween
The word classic gets used a bit too much I feel but, Halloween is exactly that. It reshaped the horror genre and bore the teen slasher phenomenon. It also made a star out of Jamie Lee Curtis and raised her horror status to icon. Who knew a Bill Shatner mask could be so frightening?

One for the Modern Retro Fans: House of a 1000 Corpses
Rob Zombie’s film, about the murderous redneck Firefly family and the mythical Dr. Satan, oozes 70s horror out of every orifice, a kind of Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets The Hills Have Eyes on speed. There are a lot of the things to like about Zombie’s first stab at horror not to mention references by the bucket load.


One for the Ladies: Ginger Snaps
So, it’s Halloween and you want to impress a young lady with a quiet night in. She doesn’t really know much about horror and leaves herself in your capable hands. You’ve chilled the drinks and popped the corn now what the hell are you going to watch? Well, first things first, steer clear of I Spit on Your Grave. If there is one horror film not appropriate for an early date that’s it. Instead, dig out Ginger Snaps. It’s cool and funny and she will relate to the subject matter, which is as good a metaphor for female puberty as Carrie ever was.

One for the Bad Movie Lovers: Night of the Demons
Directed by Kevin Tenney, starring Linnea Quigley and with a cheesy plot about a party in a morgue with naked women, sex and booze, oh, and it’s from the 80s. A good, bad movie at it’s best.
 
One for the Cult Fans: Donnie Darko
If one film has defined the cult film scene in recent years it’s Donnie Darko. A dark, brooding film with strange dreams, dead teens, a giant macabre rabbit and some time travel it clever to say the least and anyone who hasn’t seen it, must do at least once.

So, there we have it. Have a great Halloween and enjoy yourselves.

My article over on HorrorNews.net

Just a quick post to let you know i've had one of my articles published over on HorrorNews.net


You can read the article here.

Cash Before Creativity

Slowly over the past couple of weeks the news has filtered through that ‘Hellraiser’ will, almost certainly, be remade.

Rumours and news stories have been banded about the internet about Todd Farmer writing the first draft of the script, Patrick Lussier signing on to direct and Amber Heard linked to the lead role.

Undoubtedly though, the biggest talking point so far has been the Weinstein’s plan to follow the lead of the planned Alien remake, and make the film a PG-13.

Fans in their droves hit blogging sites, social networks and film news websites to release their anger about such a decision. I have to say, I’m on the fans side. To make such a move is nonsense.

If there was one iconic film that is not suitable to be remade as a ‘teen movie’, 'Hellraiser' is probably it. A gory, bleak film written by the unflinching Clive Barker with a heavy sadomasochistic undertone. It has subject matter as dark as Charlie Manson’s innards, Hellraiser certainly isn’t all fun and frolics.

At least that's the way the original is made. This announcement suggests that the new film is not going to be a Hellraiser film at all, this is going to be a Pinhead film.

You see Hellraiser is an intelligent film that taps into your psyche. This film isn't about the gore or the excellent make up, it's all about atmosphere and it's not suited to a younger audience. Pinhead, however, is a recognisable horror icon, who is easily replacated with a new actor.

I'm not being demeaning here. I'm sure there are teens who love the original, just as I did. There is no doubt though, if we speak in demographics here, teens are not the intended target of the source material.

However, it is the teen market that brings in the big cash. PG-13 films fair much better at the box office than R-rated ones and in recent years it become clear that Hollywood is all about the cold, hard cash. Who cares about artistic input? Can creativity pay for a mansion in Beverly Hills? No! But, mass marketed, ill conceived shit can.

So, cut the gory effects, ditch the sadomasochism, slash the themes of morality in fear and crank up the teens making bad decisions. Then, add a young, pretty actress running around in a tight, white vest while Pinhead follows behind.

Also, we'll need some big name stars. Pinhead needs to be bald and should be bigger than last time, how about Vin Diesel? In fact, let's rename him Vinhead. Maybe, he could glitter when he goes into the sun, kids love that these days.

How about Miley Cyrus, Zak Effron and that guy from One Tree Hill play the cenobites? Maybe they could finish with a sing off that Vinhead loses and gets sent to hell by Simon Cowell and some celebrity judges.

It will never happen but if you are going to turn classics into teen flicks why not go hog wild?

Anyway, I must go now I'm writing my English language, rom-com version of 'Irreversible'. Kidding.

Europe vs USA - The Conclusion

Over my previous two posts I have compared the horror outputs of Europe and the USA with a view to finding which has been better for the years 2008/09. In this post I will attempt to reach the conclusion.

America made some excellent films in this time, though they are often clouded by shoddy remakes and sloppy sequels.

However, when the films were good they were very good. Some of the films stateside really were a breath of fresh air in what sometimes felt like a smothering smog of mediocrity. New writers, producers and directors proved that if they are given a chance they can create something good fun and entertaining, something you want to watch. The problem at the moment across the Atlantic is that these opportunities are often reserved for the privileged whose name will pull in the crowds, if the film itself doesn’t.

There is no question that Europe released some excellent horror films in that period and if I had looked at 2007 too then, I believe, they would have been run away winners.

Film makers have be given a little more freedom, a little more trust and my goodness the results show. Sequels and remakes are present in European cinema but they are in the minority with new, original ideas given preference.

There is no doubt, for me, that Europe is the winner of the contest. Not just because I believe their output to be better but, also because of a growing trend in American horror to remake European films.

Two of the best received films in the US were ‘Quarantine’ and ‘The Strangers’, remakes of Spanish chiller ‘Rec’ and French home invasion film ‘Them’ respectively. Although ‘The Strangers’ is very liberal in the telling of the story and moved away from the original, the premise and plot is essentially the same.

The worrying thing for Hollywood is that this trending looks set to continue with ‘Let Me In’ virtually lurking on our doorstep, it appears that Euro remakes may be the next big thing in American horror similar to the Asian influence we saw not too long ago.

America needs something new and different to get itself back on its perch in horror terms and remakes are not the way forward. They need action quickly, before the gap between themselves and Europe widens further.

Europe vs USA - Part Two

In my last post I outlined a competition between Europe and The US comparing their horror output for 2008/09.

Then we took a look at the best The USA had to offer us and in truth if you wade through the rubbish, the remake and the sequels there were many a good film to be found.

In this post we will take a look at Europe's finest during this period.

I have grown to become a big fan of European horror recently. I'm not sure at what point this new love grew but, it definitely has blossomed within me.

A lot of excellent horror came out of Europe in 2007 and the pressure must remain on the continent to keep it up and they certainly seem to have done that so far.

Excellent films spewed forth from right across the continent with an incredible diversity.

Britain gave us the gritty and all too realistic 'Eden Lake.' A tale of a young couple terrorised by violent youths give a worrying reflection of modern communities. Then from Norway came the crazy Nazi-zombie tale, 'Dead Snow.'

Del Toro pushed all the right buttons again as he helmed Spanish ghost story 'The Orphanage' and had us jumping and weeping like nobody else could whilst France did what it does best with the sometimes brutal Martyrs.

Without doubt though the stand out film came from an unlikely source in Sweden’s ‘Let the Right One In’. A dark, macabre coming-of-age tale of two teenage vampires that was as far from ‘Twilight’ as it could possibly step within the same genre.

And, that is where European horror’s strength lies, with the gloomy, sombre edge that doesn’t need to be sugar coated. It doesn’t need a optimistic finale where “all’s well that ends well” like many (though not all) American productions. There are rarely test audiences and focus groups to switch the conclusion.

There too lies the weakness. Some of Europe’s out point not only toes the line of what is acceptable but marches straight over and tramples all in its way with little to rein them in. So, whilst the best things to come out of Europe and undoubtedly excellent, the worst can often plumb the depths.

However, is it better than all that comes from the other side of the Atlantic? I’ll give my verdict in my next post.

Europe vs USA - Part One

Last week one of the world's most prestigious sporting events took place less than one hours drive from my front door. Every two years the finest golfers in Europe take on those from the US. This year Europe edged the USA in a nail biting finish but, what if it wasn't golf? What if it was a Euro-US horror challenge? I will, over the next three posts compare and contrast the horror output for both America and Europe and decide which are better at the craft.

I will take a look at a two year period and compare the output of the regions. I won't take into account 2010 because it can take some time for non-English language films to filter through, instead let's look at 2008/2009 and, in this post we will look at the output of the US in this period.

Lots of people aren't happy with Hollywood's output in the horror genre at the moment. It's not without good reason either. It's far too easier to argue the point against American horror. In recent years the US market has been over run by unoriginal ideas, overtired franchises and unwanted remakes almost to the point of saturation. ‘Halloween 2’ seemed to prove the point as a remake of an overtired franchise filled with unoriginal ideas.

However, to think this all American horror is about would be dismissive and disrespectful to those who toil for their craft to make decent original films. In fact, the US has put out some great horror in the past few years, even if most have not been promoted as much as some of the more well known bloated turkeys that the major studios have churned out.

Take, for example, ‘The Ruins’. For anybody who hasn't seen it I recommend that you do. It's smart, well paced and original, I was surprised at how few people had seen it and it is a bit of a diamond in the rough.

However, America's good horror films don't end with carnivorous, Mexican topiary. Nor is it exclusive to little known smaller productions. ‘Zombieland’ was a big budget film, backed by a major studio, starring famous actors and featuring a celebrated cameo.
Or, what about ‘Drag Me To Hell’? Sam Raimi’s tale of gypsy curses and retribution was an excellent film by a legend of the genre. It garnered some bad reviews but I have no idea why, the film was as fun and enjoyable as some of the best in recent memory.
Also add ‘Paranormal Activity’ to the pile. A film that was genuinely frightening, ‘Paranormal Activity’ will make you afraid to go to sleep and ensure you don’t enter a room with the light off. It’s truly chilling and, in my opinion, more terrifying than the father of handheld horror The Blair Witch Project.

So, although there are A LOT of bad quality rip offs coming out of the United States at the moment, there are some real gems amongst them that don’t deserve to be lumped together with hackneyed horror put out to make a quick buck or million and to live off existing names or gimmicks that an audience already feels attached to. But, are these titles too few and far between to compete with Europe?

In my next post we will look at Europe’s output.

Review: Devil (2010)

I recently wrote a blog post in response to the question Are Horror Fans Too Biased Towards Directors? Well, it certainly seems that M. Night Shyalaman can turn a horror fan off a film quicker than most. So, it seemed like a strange decision to plaster his name over the trailers and posters for ‘Devil’. Rumours were that fans booed and mocked when his name popped up in the teaser at cinemas stateside.

This time, however, Shyalaman is not directing, nor is he writing. He is producing an idea “from the mind of M. Night Shyalaman” according to the trailer and the result is pretty damn good.

In actuality ‘Devil’ is written by Brain Nelson, who also wrote 30 Days of Night and the excellent Hard Candy, and directed by John Erick Dowdle who directed Quarantine, the remake/rip off of Spanish film Rec. What we get is something fresh, something different.

Shyalaman’s idea, that has become the premise of the film, is genius in its simplicity. Five people are trapped in a lift, one of them maybe the Devil himself.

In fact, it’s the simplicity of the film that makes it enjoyable through out. Over the past few years the US market has been saturated with torture porn or bad CGI but ‘Devil’ moves away from such cheap tricks and returns to the most powerful weapon in a film’s arsenal, its audience.

So dependant on the mind of the viewer is ‘Devil’ that, some of the film’s most tense moments come when there is nothing happening on screen at all. Each killing that takes place inside the elevator is done as the power fails, that means no lights and no CCTV. However, when there is no picture, there is still sound. Heavy breathing, scrabbling fingers, breaking glass, each sound sets you on edge, your hair on end and your imagination into overdrive.

The film is smooth and clever enough for you to leave the cinema happy with what you saw. You will keep guessing until the reveal as to whom is Satan and at some point you will believe it could be any of them. I certainly didn't see the twist coming until about 10 seconds before it did.

All in all the film is good. I would certainly recommend that people see it. It's not a classic of the genre but its certainly enjoyable and proves that M. Night Shyalaman is an excellent concept man even if he doesn't always have the skills to pull it off as a director.

20 Questions

Just to give you all a little insight into my brain on this blog I have answered 20 questions about horror below. If you want to pose any other questions then post them on my comments below or via my Twitter account.

Favourite Horror Film

I love Seven and watch it when I can but some will argue whether it is a true horror film or not. IT has also been one of my favourites for a long time. I remember watching a VHS copy as a child, recorded from satellite TV. It’s a cliché but The Shining is just about as good as any or Poltergeist since I was a child, my brother threw out his clown cuddly toy because of that film. My all time favourite, however, has to be Jaws.

Favourite Horror Director

Oh, so many. I’m a sucker for Robert Rodriguez, I must admit. Landis, Hooper, Kubrick and Hitchcock go without saying. Wes Craven has changed the face of horror on several occasions but, Guillermo Del Toro is the master for me at the moment.

Favourite Villain

Jack Torrance in The Shining. You can see his descent into the maniac and when he gets there he is truly terrifying. Nicholson looks every bit the madman as he stalks around the hotel but still keeps a witty sophistication too. Though one might argument that as much as he is the villain he is also the victim (less so in the book, maybe).

                      

Favourite Protagonist

I think in most horror films the villain is more interesting and exciting than the hero. I think one of the major exceptions is Ripley in Alien who really steals the show so it’s her I’ll choose.

Favourite All Time Scream Queen

Janet Leigh. Anybody who starred in Psycho and conceived Jamie Lee Curtis is a winner in my book although Shelley Duvall is thoroughly convincing in The Shining.

Favourite Modern Day Scream Queen

Katherine Isabelle is often overlooked but her role in Ginger Snaps makes her worthy in itself. After her role in Planet Terror though backed up by her part in Scream I’m going to pick Rose McGowan.

First Horror You Remember Seeing

I think it was probably Critters. I remember watching it with my brother and cousin who were quite a bit older than me. Around the same time we watched some bad B-movies that my grandmother had bought. They were on VHS and came in cardboard covers instead of cases. I think I would have seen horror films before that on our Betamax but I can’t remember any of them.

Favourite Remake

I think a lot of remakes lately have been terrible. I did enjoy the Dawn of the Dead remake, even though it broke some major zombie rules but, for me, The Fly is the ultimate remake. It’s better than the original, which most aren’t.

All Time Horror Icon

Wow! There’s a lot of these. Bruce Campbell always entertains. Vincent Price doesn’t even need to be seen to be recognised, that voice is enough. Emily Booth does her bit for the girls. Then there are guys that just ooze an aura of horror from the time they show on screen. Tony Todd is good at this but there is one man who whenever you see him you just think horror and that’s Robert Englund.

If You Could Remake Any Film Which Would It Be?

Faust, a German film based on Doctor Faustus. I planned on writing a modern version whilst still at school and may still give it a shot.

Favourite TV Horror

I don’t think there is enough horror programmes on TV. My favourite is The League of Gentlemen. It isn’t a full horror but it’s has moments that get really creepy. Their Christmas special is terrifying, especially Papa Lazarou.

Favourite Horror Novel

I love Stephen King’s horror novels but my favourite Bag of Bones which gripped me from beginning to end. I enjoy reading and am very fond of King but this one I enjoyed more than any other

If You Could Adapt Any Novel Which Would It Be?

Whilst on holidays I read Duma Key and I think the scene where we first see the ship would look magical on the big screen. The image has been seared into my brain. However, I think Shaun Hutson’s Hybrid would be amazing on the big screen.

Who Past/Present Do You Think Should Be Scream Queens?

From the past; Marilyn Monroe. She had the perfect mix of sexuality and innocence to be a memorable Scream Queen. Modern Day? Gemma Arterton would have been great in some 60s British horrors.

Who Would Make a Great Horror Villain?

Dita Von Teese would make a brilliant gothic, Elizabeth Bathory type villainess. Benedict Cumberbatch would be a superb villain; he’s got a unique oddness about him and a great intensity.

Which Film Are You Most Looking Forward to Seeing?

I haven’t seen The Last Exorcism or Devil yet so they are quite high on my list. I’m intrigued to see what they have done with I Spit on Your Grave. I really can’t wait for Jovanka Vuckovic’s The Captured Bird but Black Swan has me interested more than any other. 

Favourite Quote from a Horror Film?

That’s easy “They’re heeeerrrrreeeee!” 

Which Song Would Be the Soundtrack to Your Horror Film?

There would be more terrifying than having to listen to Justin Beiber on a loop but for completely the wrong reason. Bodies by Drowning Pool is begging to be used (If it hasn’t already).

Are You a Fan of 3D?

I think it’s a fun idea but, something needs to be done about those annoying glasses you have to wear. After about half hour I get distracted by the uncomfortable glasses and start concentrating on the instead of the film. Also, 3D should add to a film not be it’s only positive point. It seems some film makers are so interested in making it 3D they forgot about the rest of the process like writing, which is a real shame.

Why Do You Love Horror So Much?

I don’t think I could pin it down to just one thing. I think it’s the emotional connection that makes it so good. A good horror drags you out of you comfort zone and the feelings pass you by because you are too busy trying not to get hurt. However, horror gives you the same feelings without physically putting you in danger. I think that’s why it’s so good and maybe a bit addictive.

Are Horror Fans Too Biased Towards Directors?

Last week I stumbled across an article on www.horror-movies.ca which posed an interesting question, Are Horror Fans Too Biased Toward Directors?

The article got me thinking and, for me, the answer is yes and no.

It is true that horror fans place a lot of emphasis on who is helming a project; I include myself in this statement. If you hear that a director whose previous body of work you have enjoyed is directing an up and coming film, then are you more likely to see it? Of course you are.

For example, my wife and I rented the film ‘Bug’ when it was first released on DVD. For anybody who isn’t familiar with ‘Bug’ it’s a paranoid, thriller about a war veteran who believes he is infested by bugs with the line between delusion and reality gets more distorted the closer you get to the end. It didn’t sound like mine, nor my wife’s idea of a great film but, we were swayed by the director…William Friedkin. 

Friedkin also directed The Exorcist, one of my wife’s favourite films. Truth be told I probably would still not have seen this film had it not been for him and that would be a shame because the film is actually pretty good. It starts slowly and draws you in. The performances are great and with a budget that stretches to one room and a shed load of aluminium foil.

Similarly, the name Uwe Boll sends shivers down my spin and I tend to avoid his films, subconsciously or otherwise. I know for a fact I’m not the only one that feels this.

In a perfect world we would all allow a director to “start with a blank slate” but, there comes a point when it’s like giving your girlfriend another chance after she sleeps with your best friend every time she’s drunk. There has to be a line drawn for when enough is enough before you both end up on Jerry Springer.

After one film I let it pass, after two films I forgave Boll. But after repeated offences I kicked him out and promised never to go back to him again.

One or two ‘offences’ I can overlook (Tarantino’s ‘Death Proof’ being an excellent case in point) but repeat offences breaks the bond of trust between the film maker and the viewer, sometimes beyond repair. By the same token a director with a history of rubbish films may create a stand out film that’s a must see. Boll’s next film may be a fantastical epic horror, the kind of film that comes around once in a generation and changes the genre forever, like a horror version of Citizen Kane. However, it will most likely be dross.

A question to think about on this front is; is M. Night Shyamalan a great director with one or two blips, or a rubbish director with a few lucky, shining stars?

So, certainly, the director of a film can be a massive influence on the way we view a film. However, it isn’t only horror fans who feel this way.

Quentin Tarantino is shown massive bias by the cinema going public (again, myself included). A ‘QT’ film is always eagerly anticipated but rarely does he venture into the horror genre. The same can be said of Spielberg, Scorsese, Nolan, JJ Abrahams, Rodriguez, and others.

Such is the draw of these directors, whom work mostly outside of the horror genre, that they can make or break a film before they have even shouted action.

Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s totally your own free will which makes you think like this though. Film makers and advertisers know this. How many times have you heard “From the director of…”? Or “From the man that brought you…”? Producers, those in Hollywood especially, know that a director can influence you decision making and use it as bait to lure you to the cinema. “Hey, remember you liked this guy’s last film? Well, this one must be good too right?”

So, the question is did we decide we liked certain directors and it got used against us or did we get told we liked them and went along for the ride?

I personally think the reason horror fans appear more bias toward some directors is merely because we know who the directors are. The mainstream public don’t know who directs a lot of films, mostly because they don’t care. If you just want to watch things blow up then it doesn’t matter who’s blowing them up but, with horror the suspense is everything and some directors get it right, some don’t. It’s like a comedian with timing, two people can tell the same joke and one can make it the funniest thing you have ever heard but, the other may make it as funny as genital warts. With horror if one scene loses its tension and looks a bit silly, the whole film can fall apart and look little more than a farce.

Maybe the problem is we are looking at a niche group of people and comparing them to the mainstream when we should be looking at another niche. Maybe it’s just that we horror fans are more affected by who the director of the film is than the mainstream cinema goer because we know who the director is more often. What about film fanatics in other genres, who know and care who the directors are, are they just as influenced?

Also, are we just as influenced by actors? I have watched films just because of one of the stars. If Robert Englund’s name is attached more I am are likely to watch than if Zak Effron is the star. Fright fans would surely rather watch a film with Emily Booth in than the same film starring Miley Cyrus. Yet, horror fans are willing to accept bad acting in lieu of a good story or fun time?

So, are horror fans too biased towards directors? Probably, yes. But, is it more than other knowledgeable film fans outside of mainstream cinema goers? I don’t think so.

Let me know what you think.

An Introduction

Welcome my friends. Step into my humble, online abode.

Please, pull up a chair.

Now we’ll begin.

I have spent many weeks debating what the subject of my posts should be before settling on the on the spine-tingling world of macabre that is horror.

My wife has informed me that a good blog should start with an introduction, this is mine.

Firstly, a little bit about me. I’m 24 years old, a father to a beautiful boy, a husband to a gorgeous woman and a horror fan. I live in the outer pits of hell, where everyday is toil and the fire and brimstone is replaced by freezing winds and ice…it’s also known as the South Wales Valleys.

 

View from my window in the bleak midwinter - a horror of sorts.

I think I first became addicted to horror at the age of 3 when I sat with my brother to watch ‘Duel’. I know many will argue that ‘Duel’ is a thriller and not a horror film but for me the line between the two is skeletal and often fractured. I think I will post about that subject in the near future.

This blog will mostly be centred on the celluloid world of horror films (or movies for our American friends) though it shall occasionally stray into the Devil’s box (TV) and written word.

Also, some posts may occasionally stumble exhaustedly into the world of sci-fi should the subject have enough terrifying elements to make it worth while.

I would like to point out at this stage I am a horror fan but not the font of all knowledge. Some people know the genre inside and out, that isn’t me. I don’t know ALL the ‘Zombieland’ rules. I don’t know what Alfred Hitchcock ate for breakfast. I don’t know George A. Romero’s mother’s, cousin’s, dog’s name. If you want pointless facts then it is best to look elsewhere but, if you want views, news, reviews and something which may amuse, then come on in…the water’s fine.